Secondary Students' Guide
Our secondary courses and the way in which this College operates are different from traditional schools. This guide will help you with some of the key issues common to secondary pupils. We cannot cover everything in a guide such as this - so if you are unsure, ask!
Secondary students are expected to carry a great deal more responsibility for their work and conduct than they may have been used to. During most class times there will be a number of different activities going on around you, and you will need to focus on your work and neither distract nor be distracting. You will also be responsible for managing your own time and planning work. These are important skills to learn, but we know that most students start off needing help, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. We even expect and accept mistakes - but we do want you to learn from your mistakes!
Please do not hesitate to ask for help, to seek guidance or to make suggestions on any issue. We have accepted your enrolment because we want to help!
COMING TO AND FROM SCHOOL
Arriving at School
Secondary pupils are able to begin school studies in their room from 8:00 am.
Arriving Late
School starts punctually at 9:00 am each day – pupils who arrive late disrupt classes and miss out on lessons. All pupils arriving late will be given a detention after school the same day - 30 minutes for Secondary students.
Leaving the School
As a general rule secondary pupils will be permitted to leave the school to purchase lunches or such-like. Students leaving the school must hang their pass on the rack outside the office before they leave and retrieve it immediately upon their return to school.
Going Home
Junior Secondary children are released from class at 3:00 pm although Senior College Pupils continue to work until 4:00 pm.
Parking
You will sometimes find parking in the street near to the school gate. But there is always plenty of parking in the public car park in Basin View Lane. The school drive and car park is too small to accommodate students' vehicles so it is restricted for staff and official visitors' use. Park in the street or public car park. Please don’t use our neighbours’ drives or parking areas, or stop illegally in the street. What may appear safe or convenient for you may pose real danger for others, especially the small children coming in or out of school. It is especially important when it is wet to consider children’s safety first: primary children need to be collected from the school and escorted to cars.
Student Drivers
Special conditions apply to students who drive themselves to school. Please ask for a copy of the notice about this if you need it and before you begin driving to school.
WORKING TOGETHER
Homework
Homework is an essential part of the school programme and is to be completed as required. For Grades 9 & 10: 1 - 2 hours; Grade 11: 2 - 3 hours; and Grades 12 & 13: 2 - 4 hours each night. (We may discuss variations in special circumstances.)
Personal Information & Privacy
All personal information collected and stored by the College is collected only when relevant to the work of the College. Relevant information will be released in the following circumstances: A parent or the pupil gives permission; a pupil is transferring to another school; where there is a legal obligation to do so. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right of access to all information we hold about you or your children. We have a detailed protocol regarding Personal Information which we are happy to show you. Pupils’ school work, details of honours earned and awards achieved, and photographs of children in the school environment, and their names, may be published by the school for educational purposes and in publishing information about the school.
Discipline
Correction may include rebuke, detentions (up to 15 minutes at intervals; and for secondary pupils up to 1 hour after school), repeats and/or penalty assignments, and restitution with a penalty for property damaged, abused or stolen. Serious Problems: Where serious disciplinary problems arise the College will do its best to guide pupils and discuss the issues with parents to seek a resolution. We may suspend or expel a pupil when in our judgement the misbehaviour of the pupil is sufficiently serious. Parents or the pupil may ask that any suspension or expulsion be reviewed. The subsequent decision of the school is final. Refunds of fees cannot be given when enrolments end for disciplinary reasons.
Absences
By law we must have an explanation in writing for every absence. Parents or caregivers can write a note or email absences@ateacollege.com. We must be told the dates of the absence and the reason for it.
Truancy
Truancy is an absence for anything other than illness or emergency. We are required by the Education Act to enforce attendance laws – this includes reporting and prosecuting parents who condone absences without valid reasons.
Solving Problems
This is a small school and all members of the school community have direct access to the Principal and other staff. We have a commitment to resolving problems promptly and fairly. We hope that most problems can be resolved informally but we have formal procedures available on request for making complaints and resolving problems. The main points are:
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Don’t wait till things get serious: talk to us as soon as a concern arises
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Please talk to the right person
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We will listen and gather information before forming a judgement
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We cannot tell you about other children and other families
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You can have a support person with you when talking to us
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Pray: God’s protection and solutions are best!
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If you are not happy with the outcome of your complaint, you can appeal in writing to the Principal.
MANAGING COURSE WORK
Attendance & Course Completion
For the duration of their enrolment students must attend school when it is open . Short absences for illness or family matters may be excused, but if a student is absent for sustained periods that significantly interferes with the delivery of instruction and completion of work, and the school will not recognise attendance as satisfactory, and will not process entries or provide assessment for external qualifications, or make its own ATEA College awards. Where a student’s non-attendance is approaching such an unsatisfactory level, it will be normal for the school to advise parents and the pupil of this, and they may be advised to secure alternative support if this is appropriate (for example in the case of a chronically ill pupil, private tuition in the home or hospital classes may be appropriate). However, as attendance is a basic requirement, the absence of such advice will not be grounds for appeal. Parents and pupils must be aware that pupils must attend school to complete courses. Pupils must complete the work set, including formative work (learning and practice activities) as well as assessment items. Students who do not complete modules to a satisfactory standard will not be regarded as having completed the course – in general that requires 6 modules of an 8 module course or 5 modules of a 6 module course.
Missed Lessons
Although we will do what we can to help students, we cannot undertake to make-up scheduled lessons missed by pupils for any reason. Students who miss lessons are responsible for finding out what has been covered and completing any work set. We cannot stress too strongly that an important part of every student’s course is the interaction with staff and other students in which learning is tested and extended. Every absence means you miss part of your course: no student, especially in Years 12 & 13, should plan an absence unless it is to take part in some educational activity that contributes to your education enough to compensate for lessons missed.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using another person's ideas, words or work as if it is your own. It includes quoting exactly without acknowledging the quotation, but it also involves using the other person's statement but changing a few words, or even just using the idea and presenting it as you own without acknowledging the source. Students are given clear directions on using quotations and making references to other people's work. Plagiarism will result in
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The entire unit of work being marked "0"
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Depending on the seriousness of the plagiarism, the student may be excluded from that course
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In the case of external qualifications the student will always be excluded from that course (ie the student will not be permitted to submit any assessment items in that subject) for that year
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Repeated or gross instances of plagiarism may result in suspension or expulsion.
Authentication of Student’s Work
All work submitted for assessment must be the student’s own work. Students are responsible for ensuring staff can be satisfied as to the authenticity of the work presented. The following procedures can be adopted: 1. Work completed at school under staff supervision is validated. 2. Work completed in part or in whole outside of the classroom will be validated by
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Presentation of a log book or dated progressions in work.
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Inclusion of research notes, draft documents, and all other data used in preparation of the final item.
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Progress must be shown to the subject teacher or tutor at least weekly and signed off.
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Teachers satisfying themselves that it is valid, by interviewing students and comparing work presented with work done in the classroom.
Careers and Tertiary Course Guidance
The school is well resourced to provide guidance on careers and tertiary study. In addition we can help students obtain information from Career Guidance services or to meet with suitable counsellors. We are in regular contact with student liaison services at the polytechs and universities, and can help students determine best choices of career and study at school and on leaving school.
Integration of Extramural Studies
Any student may ask for extramural activities and studies to be recognised as part of their ATEA College course. Recognised extramural activities or studies can then be allocated space on a pupil’s individual timetable, be counted in the total number of units used to make up a year’s course, and be included in school reports. As a rule however, no formal qualification is issued by the school for extramural studies; instead any qualifications gained are recognised in the student’s course record and reports. To be recognised as a valid part of the student’s course, extra mural studies or activities must have prior approval from ATEA College. An application must meet the following criteria: 1. The course or activity must be an academic, sporting or cultural one that is generally recognised as part of a child’s over-all education 2. There must be a clearly defined content and standard, and the school must be satisfied that the content and standards are compatible with the school’s aims, philosophies, courses and own standards 3. A formal agreement must be made by the coach, tutor or other person delivering or supervising the course or activity to report to the school and validate the student’s participation and achievements.
AT SCHOOL
Christian Faith
You may not be fully aware of just what we mean when we talk about Christian faith. We have a policy of accepting some students who do not share our commitment to Christ or our practices. Yet because these things are of critical importance - not just to us, but to the goals of the College and the ways we seek to fulfil those goals - we hope you will take some time to study and understand the nature of our faith. This will become progressively apparent as you work through the year’s course. If you do not regularly attend a Christian Church we would strongly recommend that you begin. If you are looking for a suitable Church to attend do talk to us and we will help find one that suits.
Code of Conduct
Students are expected to conduct themselves within the framework the ATEA College Code of Conduct.
School Rules
Our school rules are displayed in every classroom. Copies can be supplied on request.
ICT: Information Technology & Communications
All pupils have access to a chromebook as required, and have access to age-appropriate computing and internet facilities. Pupils are required to sign and abide by a Cybersafety Contract that covers issues of appropriate and safe use. All computer use takes place in “public” spaces in the school where use is observed and monitored by other students and staff. Students may bring their own lap-tops and tablets to school for school use, providing they always comply with their Cybersafety Contract. Cell phones must be switched off before arrival at school and will be stored until the end of the school day. All ICT equipment brought to school, used at school, or switched on at school, is subject to our inspection and auditing. At our discretion equipment may be seized and held pending further examination and discussion with parents if inappropriate or unsafe use is suspected or established. Our Cybersafety Contracts and internet safety policy are available on request.
Parties at School
Parties are not permitted at school. We know it is fun to have a birthday cake, special food or some sweets to school to share with classmates, but because it can create pressures on other families and pose health issues for some children, we have to ask that you don’t.
Use of School Phones
School phones are kept busy on school business. Pupils are not normally allowed to use school phones, and they cannot be called to the phone to speak to callers. We can take messages for pupils if it is urgent, and of course in emergencies we will assist pupils to make any necessary phone calls.
Personal Property
All children’s personal property and clothing should be named. If it can be lost it will be if it hasn’t got a name on it! We have adequate recreational play areas – and children can bring suitable play or sports equipment to school providing they use it sensibly and accept the risk of damage.
Shoes Off Inside
Pupils are required to remove shoes at the doors to classrooms. Racks are provided for shoes which are to be stored neatly. Students may wear slippers or designated "inside shoes" inside, or socks; but bare feet are not permitted.
Medicines at School
As a normal rule you may not bring medications to school – that includes cough lollies. Teachers are not permitted to administer or supervise the administration of medicines to you unless arranged beforehand as explained below. On the advice of medical authorities, Aspirin will not be administered to children at school. Medications will only be permitted at school for chronic illnesses or conditions. If you are recovering from infections or illness you may not bring medications to school to complete treatment: as a general rule you should not return to school until you have either completed any course of treatment or can take required medications at times you are not at school.
Chronic Illnesses
If you are suffering from with chronic illnesses you may have medications at school and have access to them. This applies for such conditions as asthma, acute allergies or long-term illness. In such cases:
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Arrangements must be approved before any medicines are brought to school
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Medications must be labelled with your name and dosage required
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Parents must sign our standard indemnity form and provide written advice detailing the condition and dosages to be administered
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Medications must be kept in a designated kit in your classroom and carried on field trips
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No medications can be kept in children’s bags or desks
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Medications are to be taken under the oversight of a staff member
Sun Safety
Children are required to have approved school uniform sunhats with them in Term 1 & 4, and to use them whenever outside in those terms. We provide numerous shaded areas.